President Obama's Message for America's Students

The President of the United States of America (USA) spoke to American students on 8th September 2009. Among his main messages are:

• There is no substitute to hard work.
• You have to take personal responsibility for your education.
• Every single one of us have something that we are good at. We have to discover what it is and work hard towards it.
• We have to set clear goals and targets.
• Practice good hygiene and social responsibility when we are sick.
• We have to put in our best effort in everything that we do.

His message is very important and relevant to us. It is something that our school leaders and teachers talk about on a daily basis. Now even the students in the USA are getting the same messages.

Click on this link to watch President Obama's speech and write comments on what you think about it.

Beacon's Olympic Recess Challenge

The Olympic Games have become one of the biggest sporting events of our time. Athletes from the entire world take part. Their achievements are watched from both near and far by hundreds of millions of spectators. The five rings on the Olympic flag represent the international nature of the Games.

The first modern Olympics was held in Greece in 1896. Back then, women were not allowed to take part in the games. It was only in 1900, the second edition of games, when women were allowed to participate!

Here are the 3 Olympic values:

1. Friendship
• Friendship is important because the more friends you make, the more competitors you will have. You will have much more fun playing the games with more friends.
2. Respect
• You must learn to respect your opponents. Without them, there will be no competition and you will have to play the games alone. Be gracious to your competitors.
3. Excellence
• Give your best when you compete in the games. The games are not only about winning, you can excel in character as well! Aim to improve your performance each time you participate. 

This week's game - Knee Throwing

Do look through the flipcharts that are placed at the Olympic Corner in the canteen. You can obtain information about the Olympics, YOG and Team Singapore. During the games, you can help your class to earn bonus points by being able to answer questions on these topics.

Internet addiction - Let's fight it!

This week's Pastoral Care topic is on internet addiction. Although the internet is rich with information and helps us in our learning, we must be very careful not to become addicted to it and to learn how to use it properly and responsibly.

To become addicted to something means to spend a lot of time in doing the same thing, causing your health and other daily activities to be affected. For example, if your friend is addicted to playing computer games, it means that he spends a lot of time on the computer. He does not care about eating, doing his homework or even having enough sleep!

If you think that you are addicted to computer games or if you know of friends who are addicted to computer games, do inform your parents or teachers immediately.

For more tips on internet safety and addiction, visit the following websites:
1. KidsHealth - Safe Cyberspace Surfing
2. MDA CyberWellness website
3. Microsoft - Tips for parents to protect kids online

The following are helplines to help you overcome your addiction or other cyber-related problems:
1. Planet Crush (Cyberspace Risks & where U Seek Help) 1800-377 2252
2. Samaritans Of Singapore (Free, 24 hours) 1800-221 4444
3. Child Guidance Clinic 6435 3878/ 6435 3879
4. Addictions Helpline, IMH (Mon-Fri, 8.30am - 6.00pm) 6732 6837

Health Education - Feelings

How do you feel when the following situations occur:

• someone gives you a birthday card
• someone takes your pencil without your permission
• you have forgotten that there is a test and you are not prepared for it
• your parents have forgotten to fetch you from school and the school bus has left
• your best friend is hurt and has to be sent to the hospital
• your favourite television star will be visiting the school

Happy? Sad? Anxious? Angry? Excited? Nervous? These are ways to describe your feelings. Some feelings are positive and some are negative.

How do you overcome negative feelings? For example, how do you get over your anger towards someone? How do you overcome your sadness? What can you do to make someone else overcome their negative feelings?

Do visit the following website on managing your feelings: Kids Health.

9 August 2009 8.22 pm - Take the pledge!

On our upcoming National Day, do stop whatever you are doing at 8.22 pm and take the pledge with your family members. Wouldn't it be cool to know that everyone in Singapore will be taking the pledge at the same time? Cool! Do take pictures of you and your family members taking the pledge together and post here for everyone to see!

The Push Pass

This week, the P1s are learning how to do the push pass as a lead up to soccer.

The cues emphasised can be remembered using the 3Ps:

Plant the non-kicking leg next the ball.

Place the kicking leg behind the ball.

Push the ball forward with the inside of foot and then follow-through.

Click here to look at a video on how to do the push pass with good form. Enjoy!

Beacon's Friends of Singa Nominees

Hi, Beacons!

We are happy to announce that the following Beacons have been nominated for the Friend of Singa Award 2009. They are selected by their form teachers for showing exemplary behaviour towards their teachers and friends. They show politeness, humility, courtesy, kindness and are always ready to help their fellow Beacons in need.

They are:

Desiree Foo (Pri 2/8)

Choon Pui Leng (Pri 2/4)

Marcus Teo (Pri 2/4)

Janielynne Encio Flores (Pri 2/6)

Preston Chiong (Pri 1/1)

Congratulations! Let's give them all our support in their upcoming project for the whole school!